Michael Andretti, the President and CEO of Andretti Global, was featured in a tabloid format on 03.05.2024. The occasion was the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically the Miami Grand Prix held in Miami, Florida, USA, during the Qualifying Sprint Day.
The Chairman of the United States House Judiciary Committee recently wrote a letter addressed to Liberty Media. The purpose of the letter was to request documents related to Andretti’s possible entry into Formula 1. Despite receiving approval from the FIA, the American team failed to obtain the necessary authorization from Formula One Management (FOM) last October.
In a letter written by 12 members of the US Congress to Liberty’s president, Greg Maffei, concerns about potential antitrust law violations were expressed. The letter was sent last week. NBC, an American television broadcaster, has now obtained a letter from Republican Jim Jordan. In his letter, Jordan seeks answers from both Maffei and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
According to Jordan, the Judiciary Committee is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of federal competition laws in protecting against monopolies and other unfair business practices. He points out that sports leagues, including Formula 1, operate within a specific area of antitrust laws where a certain level of cooperation is necessary for product creation. However, if a sports league deviates from its established rules and practices in a way that harms competition and diminishes consumer interest, such collusion may be considered anticompetitive behavior.
Jordan expressed his dissatisfaction with the reasons given for rejecting Andretti’s entry into Formula 1, arguing that several teams on the grid are unable to compete for wins.
The justifications presented to deny Andretti Cadillac’s participation in Formula 1 appear to be pretextual, arbitrary, and unrelated to Andretti Cadillac’s suitability for the competition.
For example, Formula 1 stated that a new team could only add value to the sport by aiming for podiums and race wins.
However, the FIA had already assessed and approved Andretti Cadillac’s technical capabilities to compete against current teams, and most of these teams do not meet Formula 1’s standard of consistently competing for podiums and race wins.
Formula 1 also criticized Andretti Cadillac for attempting to use an existing engine manufacturer, as this could potentially harm the sport’s prestige and reputation. However, Formula 1 simultaneously stated that if Andretti Cadillac used a new engine manufactured by General Motors in their debut year, it would pose a challenge for the team.
Formula 1 cannot have it both ways. As FIA President Muhamed Ben Sulayem explained, the rejection of Andretti Cadillac primarily comes down to financial considerations.
Jordan agreed with Congress’s perspective that the argument against a potential 11th team harming existing teams implies that Formula 1 is engaged in anticompetitive practices.
Weaker teams seek protection against competition at the expense of consumers, and the addition of a new team would compete for prize money and sponsorships, benefiting the sport as a whole.
If Formula 1 needs to prevent competition and harm consumers to protect struggling competitors, then the entire Formula 1 model may be flawed, and the organization cannot hide behind the facade of being a sports league while engaging in anticompetitive behavior.
As a follow-up to the Congress letter, Jordan requested information and documents from Formula 1 to review the decision-making process regarding Andretti’s entry.
In addition, Jordan also asked to receive the communication records between Formula 1 and the current 10 teams regarding new entries in the sport.
Along with questions about dilution rates within the Concorde Agreement, Jordan requested a response from Formula 1 by May 21, with a three-week deadline.
© 2024
The new football season is about to begin and fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action. With new signings and high expectations, the teams are preparing for fierce competition. In this article, we will take a look at some of the top teams and players to watch this season.
The first team that deserves attention is Flamengo. The current Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champion is determined to maintain its dominance in national football. With a talented squad and an experienced coach, Flamengo promises to be a tough team to beat.
Another team that is ready to shine is Palmeiras. With heavy investment in signings, Palmeiras is confident in its ability to win titles. With players like Dudu and Luiz Adriano, the team has a powerful attack that can make a difference in any match.
Santos also deserves attention this season. With the young talent of Kaio Jorge and the experience of players like Alison and Marinho, Santos can surprise many opponents. Under the leadership of coach Cuca, the team is focused on achieving positive results and fighting for the title.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention São Paulo. With a new coaching staff led by Hernán Crespo, São Paulo is looking for a new era of success. With players like Daniel Alves and Luciano, the team is confident in its ability to compete with the best.
This season promises to be exciting and full of surprises. Football fans can hardly wait to see their favorite teams in action. With so many strong teams and talented players, it is difficult to predict who will emerge as the champion. But one thing is certain: the games will be intense and full of excitement. Get ready for an unforgettable football season!
